Diploma vs. Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education: Which Should You Earn First?

Both credentials open doors in early childhood education — but they are designed for different career stages. Here is how to think through the decision based on your timeline, career goals, and what you want your first year in the field to look like.

This is probably the most common question prospective early childhood education students have, and it does not have a universal answer. The right choice depends on where you are starting from, how quickly you need to be working, and what you want your career to look like three to five years from now.

At Bryant & Stratton College, both the Early Childhood Care and Development Diploma and the AAS in Early Childhood Education are legitimate starting points. The question is which one makes more sense for you, right now.

What Each Program Actually Is

The Diploma is a 36-credit program. Most students complete it in approximately 12 months. It covers the core foundations of early childhood education — child development, curriculum basics, health and safety, family engagement, and professional practice. It meets the 120-hour formal education requirement for the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential and aligns with NAEYC standards.

The AAS is a 60-credit program. Most students complete it in under two years. It includes everything in the Diploma and goes significantly further — deeper coursework in curriculum theory, child assessment, program administration, and family and community relations. It also includes a supervised student teaching component in an actual early childhood setting.

Here is the important part: credits from the Diploma apply toward the AAS. So if you earn the Diploma first and later decide you want the associate degree, you are not starting over. You pick up where you left off.

The Case for Starting With the Diploma

Speed and affordability are the two biggest reasons to start with the Diploma.

If you need to be working in the field within a year, the Diploma gets you there. Twelve months of study, then you have a credential that qualifies you for entry-level positions in childcare centers, preschools, Head Start programs, and home-based care settings. That is a meaningful difference from a two-year commitment.

The Diploma also costs less in total tuition than the AAS, which matters if you are funding your education on your own or managing other financial obligations. Getting into the workforce faster also means you start earning sooner — including potentially earning the professional experience hours you need for the CDA Credential.

If you are already working in a childcare setting and just need the formal credential to advance or qualify for a lead teacher role, the Diploma may be all you need in the short term. Many employers in childcare and Head Start programs are actively looking for candidates with a diploma or CDA plus demonstrated experience — and they will hire on that basis.

The Case for Going Straight to the AAS

If you already have some college credits, can commit to two years of coursework, and have a clear sense that early childhood education is your field, the AAS is the stronger credential.

It positions you for a broader range of roles from the start. Many public preschool programs and school-district-based early childhood classrooms expect or require an associate degree. Head Start programs have progressively raised education requirements for lead teachers, and the trend is moving toward associate degrees as a baseline, not a ceiling.

The AAS also gives you a foundation for advancement. Directors of childcare centers and preschool programs typically hold at minimum an associate degree, often a bachelor’s. If the director path is where you want to go — with a median salary of $55,870, according to the BLS — the AAS is the more direct route.

The supervised student teaching component is another significant advantage. You spend time in a real early learning classroom, observed by qualified educators, getting feedback on your practice. That experience is hard to replicate any other way, and it makes a real difference when you are interviewing for positions.

How to Think About Stackability

The stackable credential design is one of the most practical features of these programs. Here is how it works in real terms:

You enroll in the Diploma program. You complete it in about 12 months. You start working in an early learning setting. You begin accumulating the 480 hours of professional experience needed for the CDA Credential. While you are working, you decide you want to continue your education — maybe because you realize you want to move into a lead teacher or director role that requires the AAS.

At that point, you re-enroll at Bryant & Stratton College and your Diploma credits count toward the AAS. You complete the remaining coursework — about 24 additional credits — while you are already working in the field. By the time you finish, you have real classroom experience, the CDA Credential (or the pathway to it), and an associate degree.

That is a different situation than going back to school from scratch. The Diploma is not a consolation prize — it is a legitimate first step in a structured pathway.

What Career Outcomes Look Like at Each Level

With a Diploma, you are typically looking at entry-level and lead positions in childcare settings. Common roles include childcare worker, teaching assistant, preschool aide, or — with the CDA — lead caregiver or assistant teacher in Head Start programs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, childcare workers earn a median of $30,290 annually, while preschool teachers earn $38,520.

With an AAS, you are positioned for preschool teacher roles, lead teacher positions, assistant director roles, and eventually center director positions. Preschool and childcare center directors earn a median of $55,870, with 8% job growth projected through 2033 and approximately 19,200 annual job openings. Those numbers reflect a field where trained, credentialed professionals are in real demand.

The salary gap between a childcare worker and a director is substantial. Education is the primary driver of that gap. Starting with the Diploma and stacking into the AAS is a practical way to climb that path without putting your life on hold to do it all at once.

Online vs. On Campus: Does the Format Change the Advice?

Not significantly — both programs are available online and on campus. The format choice is about what works for your schedule, not about program quality or content. Online courses give you more flexibility if you are working full-time or have family obligations. On-campus learning gives you more face-to-face interaction with faculty and classmates, which some students find valuable for staying on track.

A Few Questions to Help You Decide

If you are still on the fence, these questions can help:

How quickly do I need to be working? If you need income from the field within a year, the Diploma is the faster path. If you can invest two years before entering the workforce, the AAS is worth it.

Do I already have college credits? If you have prior credits that might transfer toward the AAS, it is worth talking to an advisor before defaulting to the Diploma. You might be closer to the associate degree than you think.

What roles am I most interested in? If you see yourself in a classroom, the Diploma is sufficient to start. If you are interested in running a program or becoming a director within a few years, the AAS is the better investment.

Is cost a major factor? The Diploma is a shorter, less expensive program. If budget is a constraint right now, starting with the Diploma and stacking into the AAS over time is a financially sensible path.

Take the Next Step

Whether you are leaning toward the Diploma or the AAS, talking to an advisor is the best way to figure out exactly which credits transfer, how long your program will take, and what your first year in the field could look like. Both programs at Bryant & Stratton College are available online and on campus.

Apply for free today or request more information to connect with an advisor who can walk you through the options.

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